Retail salesperson pay in Washington, DC
Retail salespeople in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $36,610 a year. The middle half earn $34,350 to $39,730, and the top 10% earn more than $47,800. About 66,920 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Retail Salespersons, SOC 41-2031).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $30,640 |
| 25th percentile | $34,350 |
| Median (typical) | $36,610 |
| 75th percentile | $39,730 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $47,800 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 13 of 50 large metros for retail salespeople before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $36,610, a single filer keeps about $30,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $28,100 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 34 of 50 large metros for retail salespeople after cost of living.
Where retail salespeople’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$44,220 typical · worth $33.5k
- Seattle, WA$42,080 typical · worth $32.4k
- San Francisco, CA$43,850 typical · worth $31.7k
- Kansas City, MO$34,320 typical · worth $31.1k
All 50 metros for retail salespeople →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among retail salespeople in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) retail salesperson in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $36,610 a year. The middle half earn between $34,350 and $39,730, and the top 10% earn more than $47,800. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a retail salesperson in Washington?
Anything above $36,610 pays more than half of retail salespeople in Washington. $39,730 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $47,800 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a retail salesperson in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $36,610, a single filer keeps about $30,600 a year ($2,550 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $28,100 would in a typical US city.
Where do retail salespeople get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical retail salesperson pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA. Washington, DC ranks No. 34.
More: Retail salesperson pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.